Kayakalp Ayurveda – The Essence Of Holistic Wellbeing

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Turmeric – From Tradition To Research

Turmeric has always been integral part of Indian kitchen with varied uses – as a condiment to medicine . In this article , the journey of Turmeric from ancient times to present has been tried to explore .

Family : Zingiberacaeae

Botanical Name : Curcuma longa

English Name : Turmeric

Hindi Name : Haldi

Kanchani ( Which gives colour of gold )

Nisha ( Related to night )

Krimighna ( Which kills germs )

Yoshita priya ( Liked by women )

The Plant :

It is an annual herb . Orange to yellow coloured rhizomes grow underground . Leaves are 30 – 40 cm in length and smell like ginger . Petiole is long and broad like leaves and it smells like mango . The stalk of the flower is 12 – 16 cm long and yellow flower grows at its tip . Fruit is oval with deep yellow pulp.

TRADITION :

Rituals :

The yellow of turmeric is a virile colour , colour of sun spreading across the sky and reaching out to the earth . When sprinkled over deity , the idea is to evoke the deity’s grace and power. Turmeric is antiseptic – destroyer of germs as Gods destroy demons .

Yellow is the colour of Solar Plexus Chakra – which is the energy centre relating to the metabolic and digestive system .

As a ritual in Indian weddings , brides and grooms are anointed with turmeric paste . Turmeric is sprinkled on invitation cards also .

Turmeric improves fertility and is considered as a symbol of purity and prosperity.

Culinary Uses :

Fresh leaves are used in cooking .

Leaf is added in Ghee ( clarified butter ) for aroma .

Raw turmeric is used as pickle .

As a condiment ( in powdered form ) in most of the Indian food .

AYURVEDA :

Properties of Turmeric :

Taste : Bitter , Acrid

Properties : Dry , Light

Potency : Hot

Post Digestive Property : Acrid

It balances Vata , Pitta , Kapha and is mainly used in vitiated condition of Kapha and Pitta .

Diabetes : 10 – 15 ml juice of turmeric and gooseberry ( Amla ) in equal quantity should be taken daily as a prophylactic measure . If juice is not available , powder of both herbs should be taken in equal quantity . This is called ‘ Nisha – amalaki Yog’.

Bronchial Asthma / Cough : It acts as an expectorant .

It is roasted and given with honey or warm water .

Inhalation of turmeric smoke reduces cough .

Put it in saline water for 21 days and then parched on fire ,should be kept in mouth. It checks hiccough , cough , asthma , disorders of kapha .

Colic : Turmeric 10 gm with equal quantity of yavani ( Trachyspermum amami ) and salt 2.5 gm is powdered and cooked in ghee 40 gm . It should be taken warm in severe colic.

Bone fracture / Sprain / Wound :

External : It is applied locally with lime stone .

Internal : Powder mixed with Murraya paniculata is given. It can be given with Candy Sugar ( Mishri ).

Disorders due to change of place : Turmeric pounded with sour gruel should be taken .

As a Cosmetic : It’s paste is applied on face in combination with either cucumber / honey / milk / curd /aloe or rosewater . It enhances complexion and texture of skin. Paste made with turmeric powder and gram flour can be used as a body scrub .

Dose : Juice – 5 – 10 ml ; Powder – 1 – 3 gm

RESEARCHES :

Active Principles : Present studies have shown that Curcumin , Curcuminoids and essential oil are the main active constituents of turmeric. Curcumin imparts yellow colour and is responsible for its biological activity.

Level -4 : Repair and reconstruction of lipid membrane aided by glutathione peroxidase or by increase in level of glutathione .

Level – 5 : Repair of DNA and other cellular constituents .

Turmeric works at Level – 2 , Level – 3 and Level – 4 .

Anti inflammatory Property : Curcumin shows an anti inflammatory effect in acute , subacute and chronic models of inflammation in mice and rats . It also exerts a significant response in a controlled trial in Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis .

Hepatoprotective : Turmeric and Curcumin have been shown to protect liver against a variety of toxins in-vivo and in-vitro . Turmeric in diet has been found to stimulate enzymes – aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase , glucuronyl transferase , glutathione S transferase which metabolise xenobiotics.

Respiratory System : It is useful in Bronchial Asthma . Its anti allergic effects are also proven.